Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2 [Import]

Ferruccio Busoni (Composer), Nikolai Demidenko (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Nikolai Demidenko
• Composer: Ferruccio Busoni
• Audio CD (March 12, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B00005Y0N7
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,632 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Playing, May 21, 2002

By 

greg (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

The real gems of this disk are the Chorale Prelude transcriptions. Demidenko plays these pieces beautifully, especially Durch Adams fall ist ganz verdebt and Jesus Christus Unser Heiland. One can really appreciate the beautiful sound of the Fazioli piano in these pieces in particular. My one reservation about the chorale preludes is 'Watchet Auf'. The only recording I know of that does this justice is Angela Hewitt's recording of Bach Arrangements(Kempff also doesn't do a bad job of this). The playing doesn't quite convey the spirit of this piece.

Demidenko also does a particularly good job of the Fantasia and the Chacconne, although some might find the Chaconne a little too slow for their liking. However don't get the wrong impression, Demidenko can break into great moments of power and speed. This is Demidenko's late romantic playing at its best.

He also gives a good account of the Prelude and Fugue BWV 532, although its not up to Gilels account of the same piece. Gilels manages to create a beutiful organ like sonority from the piano, and gets the tempo just right in each part. However Demidenko's faster fugue makes for a barnstorming interpretation.

I recommend this disc highly, as I said especially for the exceptional playing of the chorale preludes, and also the Fantasia and Chaconne. My one reservation regarding this disc is the sound. The tone could be a little fuller (perhaps the piano needed to be closer to the mike?) which is unfortunate because Demidenko is using a beutiful Fazioli piano. Don't let put you off though, because the recording quality is still superb.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Busoni, January 14, 2007

By 

Medtner5 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

I agree with the previous reviewer about the chaconne, some might find it too slow. Especially if you are used to Kissin's performance. I personally think Demidenko's more unified treatment of the variatons is refreshing. He creates contrast through deep colorful poetry, and sheer power as opposed to using many parametric changes. In my opinion this interpretation is the perfect balance of romantic power and depth with Baroque form and character. On top of the performance alone, the Fazioli piano chosen has absolutely stunning soud quality and is perfect for Busoni.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bach Transcriptions, February 27, 2011

By 

James Wright III - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

This entire series of Bach piano transcriptions are well worthwhile and highly enjoyable. It seems hard to imagine that only slightly more than a century ago, the only way most individuals could hear the classics was through transcriptions.